CareDx Comments on MolDX Publication of New Billing and Coding Article
CareDx, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDNA) announced the release of a Billing Article regarding MolDX Molecular Testing for Solid Organ Allograft Rejection, effective March 31, 2023. CEO Reg Seeto clarified that MolDX will not modify the foundational LCD but issued this article for clarification. Key points include reimbursement coverage for testing services, standalone billing for AlloSure Heart, which can now be billed separately from AlloMap Heart, and a pathway for multimodality testing with additional data. CareDx plans to engage further with MolDX and update their HeartCare submission and procedures accordingly.
- Reimbursement for AlloSure Heart now available separately from AlloMap Heart, expanding revenue opportunities.
- Approximately 19% of AlloSure Heart volume year-to-date ordered independently, indicating strong market potential.
- Clarification on billing article expected to streamline reimbursement processes for testing services.
- The Billing Article's limitations to Medicare patients could restrict broader reimbursement opportunities.
- Challenges remain in obtaining coverage for multimodal testing without additional supporting data.
Article Addresses Coverage of Molecular Testing for Solid Organ Allograft Rejection Following Contractor Advisory Committee Meetings
“After discussions with MolDX regarding yesterday’s Billing Article release, it is now our understanding that MolDX does not plan to modify the foundational LCD but instead issued this Billing Article revision for clarification purposes,” said
This revised Billing Article applies across covered solid organ transplantation tests for kidney and heart (“Testing Services”).
The Billing Article addresses Testing Services coverage under the foundational LCD in three main areas:
1. The foundational LCD covers patients utilizing the Testing Services for cause and for surveillance:
- Testing Services are covered for cause in lieu of biopsy or to further inform on the need for or results of a biopsy.
- Testing Services are covered for surveillance, where the physician would have otherwise ordered a surveillance biopsy.
For Testing Services reimbursement, the ordering physician needs to clarify that they would have otherwise considered a biopsy – either a protocol surveillance or for cause biopsy. Notably, reimbursement is not necessarily limited to centers that have surveillance biopsy protocols.
2. AlloSure Heart Standalone Reimbursement: In heart transplantation, both AlloSure Heart and AlloMap Heart can now be billed individually to Medicare, whereas in the past AlloSure Heart could only be billed with AlloMap Heart. This change will now enable AlloSure Heart to be reimbursed independently.
Notably,
- Most of CareDx’s heart transplant patients are covered by commercial payers, while the Billing Article is limited to Medicare patients. Furthermore, approximately 50 percent of 2022 AlloSure Heart revenues were from non-Medicare reimbursement.
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CareDx has a new source of reimbursement as 19 percent of AlloSure Heart volume year-to-date was ordered alone, independent of AlloMap Heart. This represents a new opportunity for reimbursement in the Medicare population.
3. Pathway for Multimodality: In the Billing Article revision, two billed tests in a single patient encounter will not be covered. MolDX has indicated that this coverage would be considered with additional data supporting this use. This provides a path for multimodality with sufficient data.
Notably,
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CareDx plans to update its HeartCare® submission to MolDX. The Company does not expect that this will require a new LCD. - CareDx’s AlloMap Kidney Test was submitted as a standalone test to MolDX, as well as the planned UroMap® submission. Future plans include submitting for multimodal use with additional data.
As next steps,
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FAQ
What is the significance of the Billing Article released by CareDx on March 31, 2023?
How does the new Billing Article affect AlloSure Heart billing?
What challenges does CareDx face regarding multimodal testing under the new Billing Article?